civility
[si-vil-i-tee]
- courtesy; politeness.
- a polite action or expression: an exchange of civilities.
- Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.
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Origin of civility
Synonyms
See more synonyms for civility on Thesaurus.com1. affability, amiability, manners, tact.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for civility
Contemporary Examples
Indeed, they view us as children who can never adhere to the standards of civility and decency to which they hold other groups.
We should expect the default to be civility, not harassment.
Its civility has been crushed; its fragile peace has been blown apart by the mindless toxicity of a summer of violence.
Soon, however, the mask of civility was removed, revealing the ugly face of bigotry.
Civility and canny bipartisanship in Congress were the key factors.
Historical Examples
If Halbert will let me alone, or treat me with civility, he may be sure that I shall not trouble him.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility.
Civility,” said Lady Montague, “costs nothing and buys everything.
Self-HelpSamuel Smiles
Yet it is a civility which I seldom refuse to anything which wears a cap.
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
The populace were all civility to him so were the ministers.
civility
- politeness or courtesy, esp when formal
- (often plural) an act of politeness
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for civility
n.
late 14c., "status of a citizen," from Old French civilite (14c.), from Latin civitatem (nominative civitas) "the art of governing; courteousness," from cvilis "relating to a citizen, relating to public life, befitting a citizen; popular, affable, courteous" (see civil). Later especially "good citizenship" (1530s). Also "state of being civilized" (1540s); "behavior proper to civilized persons" (1560s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper